NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Sewerage and Drainage System has been the topic of several community meetings recently.
On Wednesday morning, the board is holding a committee meeting on its infrastructure.
Officials said the infrastructure is aging and is in need of repair.
That's why the Sewerage and Water Board held three community meetings last week to gauge the community's interest in raising rates to pay for improvements..
The first public meeting didn't attract a lot of residents, but most of those who did attend didn't like the idea of raising rates.
If the measure passes, the rate hike would basically double rates in five years.
The Sewerage and Water Board said the combined water and sewer bills for the average New Orleans homeowner is $52.50 per month.
But with the proposed rate hike, the same bill in five years would be $103.65 per month.
"I don't think most folks are going to buy this idea that if we raise your rates everything gets better, certainly not within the five years they're projecting," said Tim Garrett of the Greater Bloomingdale Neighborhood Association.
"Its important, very important, that water systems throughout North America are keeping up with current technology, current rules, and regulations," said Marcia St. Martin, the Executive Director of the Sewerage and Water Board.
A final decision on the rate hike is expected in March or April.
If passed, customers could start seeing a rate increase in July of 2012.
